In the public sector, using incentives as a motivational tool is more constrained than in the private sector, and a lack of promotion incentives may dampen morale, performance, and talent retention. I study how bureaucrats' on-the-job performance and career decisions respond to changes in...

Firms have discretion over task allocations, which may dampen employees' career prospects, and, hence, motivation. Task assignments and worker motivation interact through the extent of labor market competition; that is, the possibility of moving to another firm. More competition enhances...